Uyo Cracker: FIFA dismisses Zambia’s appeal

World football governing body, FIFA has shut down the complaint lodged by the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) over an Augustine Mulenga disallowed goal in the 1-0 loss against Nigeria in a Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier on October 7 in Uyo.

FIFA ruled that it would not act on the complaint as per their regulations, as there was no evidence of external influence or manipulation.

According to a letter signed by the Disciplinary Committee’s Vice Chairperson, Julien Deux, dated October 17, 2017 there could be no action as guided by Article 5.6 of the FIFA regulations and the referee’s decision is final.

“In this context, we refer your association to article 15 par 6, of the regulations of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, which clearly stipulates that no protests may be made about the referee’s decisions regarding facts connected with play. Such decisions are final and not subject to appeal.

“Having said that, and for the sake of good order, we would like to emphasize that on the basis of the documentation and information currently in our possession, there is no evidence of any infringement of the applicable regulations by the referees of the match in question,” Deux stated.

The Football Association of Zambia had earlier filed a complaint with FIFA, seeking an independent review of the match officiated by Botswana referee Joshua Bondo.

There was widespread outcry for FAZ to appeal to FIFA over the disallowed goal with parallels drawn with other situations where the world soccer governing body had ordered replays.

The decision now solidifies the Super Eagles’ qualification to the World Cup in Russia, allaying fears of any possible replay.

Nigeria qualified for its 6th World Cup final with a game in hand, courtesy of an Alex Iwobi solitary strike in Uyo earlier this month.